Is There a Ferry From Dubrovnik to Kotor

The Bay of Kotor remains one of the Adriatic's most dramatic fjord-like inlets, and the lack of a permanent ferry link between Dubrovnik and Kotor surprises many travelers expecting a straightforward coastal hop. The two cities sit fewer than 90 kilometers apart by sea, yet the absence of daily scheduled service reflects both the border crossing between Croatia and Montenegro and the relatively small passenger volumes outside peak tourist months. During the summer season, a handful of operators run passenger ferries or fast catamarans on the route, often marketed as day-trip excursions rather than pure transport. These services typically depart Dubrovnik's Gruž port in the morning, arrive in Kotor by midday, and return in the late afternoon. Travelers planning to continue south to Budva can disembark in Kotor and proceed overland—the coastal road hugs the bay before opening onto the Budva Riviera, and the journey takes roughly 30 minutes by bus or 20 minutes by taxi. Private boat charters represent a second option, particularly for groups or travelers with flexible schedules. Several Dubrovnik-based operators maintain speedboats or small yachts available for hire, and the crossing takes between 60 and 90 minutes depending on vessel type and sea conditions. This route offers the advantage of direct timing and, for those willing to negotiate, the possibility of arranging a drop at alternative points along the Montenegrin coast. Bar, Montenegro's primary international ferry port, lies 60 kilometers south of Budva and receives regular car-ferry service from Bari and Ancona in Italy. Travelers arriving by ferry from Italy often find it simpler to sail into Bar and drive or bus north to Budva, bypassing the Dubrovnik-Kotor question entirely. The Port of Budva functions primarily as a marina and tender point for cruise ships, not a scheduled ferry terminal, so those expecting direct international arrivals should plan accordingly. For travelers committed to the Dubrovnik-Kotor maritime route, advance booking is essential during July and August, when both day-trip ferries and private charters fill quickly. Outside the summer window, overland travel via the Croatian and Montenegrin border crossings becomes the default, though the coastal bus ride between Dubrovnik and Budva—while longer at roughly three hours—delivers the same clifftop views the ferry would have offered.